Overview
- Federal prosecutors charged Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud with conspiring to transfer firearms and ammunition knowing they would be used to commit a federal crime of terrorism, with initial court appearances held Monday.
- Searches on Oct. 31 recovered three AR-15-style rifles, two shotguns, four handguns, more than 1,600 rounds of ammunition, tactical vests, GoPro cameras, and other gear at residences and a storage unit tied to the suspects.
- Court filings describe encrypted chats using the codeword “pumpkin” for Halloween, sharing of ISIS-related materials, references to a Paris-style attack, firearms training at gun ranges, and scouting trips to Ferndale nightlife areas.
- The FBI says five people were initially detained in Dearborn and Inkster, two were later released, and the investigation involving additional alleged co-conspirators, including a juvenile, remains active.
- Defense attorneys dispute the government’s characterization of a mass-casualty plot, arguing the young defendants are lawful gun owners and warning that public statements risk stigmatizing local Arab and Muslim communities.